Seoul(Jung-gu) , Dongdaemun

Jangchungdan Park is located on the north-eastern foot of Mt. Namsan. On August 20th, 1895, Empress Myeongseong was killed by Japanese soldiers in Gyeongbok Palace and many Korean soldiers such as Gyeongjik (I) and Hong Gyehun died while trying to hold back the intruders. In memory of these soldiers, Emperor Gojong built the Jangchungdan Shrine on November, 1900 (currently the site of the Shilla Hotel guesthouse). The shrine was lost during the Korean War and the area was renovated into a park in 1919.On September 22 1984, Jangchungdan Park was designated the 374th neighborhood park of Korea and part of the park was merged with Namsan Park. The remaining area retained the name “Jangchungdan Park” and is still home to cultural assets such as the Jangchungdan Memorial Stone, Supyogyo, Seungjeongjeon, Gwanseongmyo, and Waryongmyo. The park is considered a landmark of patriotism since it contains the 1919 Independence Movement of Korea Memorial Stone and other monuments dedicated to people such as Han Yongun, Yu Gwansun, and Gim Yonghwan who have fought for the independence of Korea.


5.0/1
Seoul(Dongjak-gu)


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

One of the amazing things about Seoul is that some of the most interesting historical sites are right in the middle of the business districts. Located near the Jongno Police Station and the Japanese Cultural Center, Unhyeongung Royal Residence is one such site. Unhyeongung Royal Residence was the home of young Gojong, who later became Emperor during the Joseon Dynasty. Under order of Queen Mother Jo, Unhyeongung was renovated into a grand, palace-like house with four gates. Gojong’s father, Yi Haeung, or better known as Heungseon Daewongun, continued to live at Unhyeongung for most of his life. Damaged during the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War, the Unhyeongung Royal Residence seen today is a much smaller version of the majestic structure that it used to be. Entering through the front gate, the first noticeable sight is a small row of rooms to the right. This area, called Sujiksa, housed the servants and guards. To the front, left-hand side of Sujiksa is a structure called Norakdang. Many important events, such as birthday parties and ceremonies, as well as the wedding ceremony for Gojong and Myeongseong, were held here. To this day, traditional wedding ceremonies continue to be held at Norakdang. Norakdang also served as one of the two women’s quarters. The most notable structure inside Norakdang is the kitchen, which was used for food preparation when hosting important events. Right outside Norakdang, there are several rock structures along the path to Irodang. The rock structures are said to resemble various animals. To the left of Norakdang lies Irodang, the main building of Unhyeongung. This was where the wife of Heungseon Daewongun resided. Irodang's most prominent feature is its tall steps and square shape. It was built this way in order to help protect the women inside from intruders. Outside Irodang lays an old well on one side of the wide, open yard. To the right of Norakdang lies Noandang. Noandang served as the men’s quarters and was where Heungseon Daewongun received his guests. The word noan means "old man" and carries with it the connotation of comfort and ease. Thus, it served as the leisure quarters for the men. However, Noandang was not just a place of rest and entertainment. As the father of a young Emperor, Heungseon Daewongun carried out all his business from Noandang. Upon exiting Noandang, there lies an Exhibition Hall to the far right. The Exhibition Hall houses a small collection of interesting artifacts and information. Items such as a scale model of Unhyeongung, writing tools, traditional wedding garments, and more, can be seen here. Next to the Exhibition Hall, there is also a small coffee shop and tea room where visitors can enjoy a nice beverage while taking in the sights of Unhyeongung. 


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

The restaurant 678 (Yuk Chil Pal) specializes in charcoal barbecued meat and is widely known as a franchised restaurant run by Kang, Ho-Dong, a popular MC and comedian. The restaurant serves carefully selected, high-quality beef and Jeju pork. Other dishes include Ogyeopsal (pork belly), Moksal (neck), Hangjeongsal and Galmaegisal. Combine your meat dish with hot Doenjang-jjigae (bean-paste pot stew) with beef, Mookeunji (aged kimchi) Kimchi-jjigae or Hamheung-naengmyeon (cold noodle dish from the Hamheung area).


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Nepal is located in the southcentral region of the Himalayan Mountains between India and Tibet, accounting for its diverse mixture of both country's cultures. 'Everest' allows guests to enter this culturally diverse world by offering cuisine from Nepal, India, and Tibet. In addition, 'Everest' is managed by a resident of Nepal, serving affordable food to tourists and students interested in the culture of Nepal. Customers can learn of the traditional food and culture of Nepal while listening to Nepalese music and watching movies. The restaurant also provides a seminar area for various meetings.


Seoul(Mapo-gu) , The Western Part of the Seoul

World Cup Park was built to commemorate the 17th FIFA World Cup, held in Korea. Opened May 1st, 2002, the park was once a 15-year-old landfill that held over 92 million tons of garbage. It took 6 years to stabilize the waste (measures were taken to prevent the garbage runoff from contaminating the environment) and an additional year to build the actual park itself. The park is located near Seoul World Cup Stadium, and is made up of five smaller parks including Pyeonghwa 'Peace' Park, Haneul 'Sky' Park, and Noeul 'Sunset' Park. The park takes up a 1.05 million-pyeong area and is usually crowded with in-line skaters. * Pyeonghwa Park: Closest to Seoul World Cup Stadium, it holds a pond, garden, children’s playground, and forest. It is often used as a picnic area and place for nature studies. * Nanjicheon Park: Nanjicheon Park was developed from the Nanji Stream, which flowed under Haneul Park. It was once overflowing with sewage runoff from the nearby landfill, but it has since been beautifully restored into a park with clear water. It contains an outdoor stage and various sports facilities. * Nanji Hangang Park: Nanji Hangang Park was developed on the banks of the Hangang River. It contains a campground, soccer field, basketball court, grass field, cruise ship port, and an area for nature studies. * Haneul Park : Of the 5 World Cup Parks, Haneul Park is at the highest elevation. Once a mountain of garbage, it is now a green hill with 22 lookout points offering breathtaking views of Seoul, Namsan, Bukhansan, and Gwanaksan Mountains. 5 wind-powered generators provide power to the park and the park’s maintenance office. During the Seoul Eulalia Festival, the park is open until late in the evening * Noeul Park: Noeul Park contains a 9-hole golf course and takes up a vast area of land that was once a landfill. The park was constructed as a grassland because too much development may have caused damage to the environment, due to the buried waste. It offers a scenic view of the Hangang River and its beautiful sunset.  * Operating hours [Pyeonghwa Park & Nanjicheon Park] Open all year round [Haneul Park & Noeul Park] Based on sunset time Park closing time: Jan 20:00 / Feb 20:30 / Mar 21:00 / Apr-May 21:30 / Jun-Aug22:00 / Sep 21:00 / Oct 20:30 / Nov-Dec 19:30 *Last admission 30 minute before park closing


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

This is a traditional Korean restaurant serving food in attractive bowls. Its main dishes are steamed rice in bamboo and raw rice wine (Makgeolli). When you pour makgeolli into a glass which is brewed in the old way, your nose gets ticklish because of the smell of yeast. Steamed rice cooked with Indian millet, glutinous rice and beans in a bamboo stick, provides the delicious smell of bamboo.*Best Korean Restaurant as designated by The Seoul Metropolitan Government


Seoul(Seocho-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

The National Gugak Center (Formerly: National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts) is the governing body established to preserve and promote traditional Korean performing arts. It consists of three performance halls. First, the largest venue for traditional Korean performing arts is the Reservation Hall. The outward appearance of this theatre is based on Suwon Castle. The interior is built to accentuate all the features of the performing platform for traditional performing arts, and can accommodate every single type of traditional performing art, such as Palace Music, Court Music, and all other genres including major productions of Changguek (Korean musical drama). The structure of the stage and seats are reminiscent of a Korean yard.Long ago in Korea, traditional arts were performed in the yard. The audience was separated into an area in the shape of an earthen wall, and the ceiling had a shield/kite shaped emanating plate. The theatre gives the illusion of being in an ancient Korean household. On the 2nd floor of the Reservation Hall, there is a separate children's playground, which allows for quiet enjoyment of the music in the performance hall. Umyeondang (small hall) was designed to accommodate performances which were held outdoors. The performing space can be adjusted to fit the needs of the production.The National Gugak Center Outdoor Performance Stage is also called the "Star Welcoming Stage." You can watch many traditional performances that are usually held on traditional holidays. You can listen to traditional music, and if you want more information on the music try going to the Gugak Museum. Videos on Korea's traditional instruments and other Gugak related videos are always exhibited here. Also at the shop you can buy various Gugak related souvenirs. Having a Gugak CD or a cassette will be a great souvenir to remember the inspiration of Gugak for a long time. At the Front courtyard of the museum you can try to play traditional games and instruments from 10am to 5pm. You can play traditional games like neol ttwigi (seesaw jumping) or jegi chagi (Korean hacky sack) and try playing traditional instruments like the jing (gong), janggu (drum), kkwaenggwari (cymbal) and buk (drum).


Seoul(Gangdong-gu) , The Eastern Part of the Seoul

Amsadunchi Ecological Park (located in Amsa-dong) is a large scenic park with long winding trails passing by reeds and other beautiful plants of the Han River. It is here as well that visitors can watch the flight of Korea’s migratory birds. The Ecological Park is famous for its beautiful scenery and its lush groves of reeds and pussy willows growing alongside the natural riverside road. Wild roses, loosestrifes, and tiger lilies are in bloom from spring to fall and the observation deck gives visitors a beautiful view of Han River and the area’s wide variety of birds such as reed warblers, titmice, and swallows. The river basin and its surrounding stones are a great place to learn about nature and are home to various bugs such as beetles, river mayflies, big scarlet hairstreak butterflies, and other water insects.The Amsadunch Ecological Park is located nearby Godeok River Side Ecological Park and the Bicycle Theme Park, making this particular area one of the most popular tourist attractions along the Han River. 


Seoul(Eunpyeong-gu)

Jingwansa Temple, located to the west of Seoul, is one of the four major temples around Seoul along with Bulamsa, Sammaksa, and Seunggasa temple located to the east, south and north respectively. The temple was dedicated to Preceptor Jingwan in 1010 BC by King Hyeonjong, the 8th king of the Goryeo Dynasty.During the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejong built a library in Jingwansa for Confucian scholars to visit and read. The temple was reduced to ashes during the Korean War, but since Preceptor Jingwan lead as head priest in 1963, the temple buildings have been restored and renewed over the past 30 years to the present day condition.The temple consists of Daeungjeon (Hall of Sakyamuni), Myeongbujeon (Hall of Judgment), Nahanjeon, Chilseonggak, Nagawon, Hongjeru, Dongjeonggak, Dongbyeoldang, Yosache and others. Daeungjeon, the centerpiece of the temple, enshrines the god Sakyamuni (the main statue of Buddha) along with Mireukbosal and Jehwagalhwabosal on each side. Myeongbujeon is dedicated to Jijangbosal, Domyeongjonja, mudokgwiwang and Sipdae daewang while at Nahanjeon, the gods of Sakyamuni, Mireukbosal, Jehwagalla bosal, and Simnyungnahansang are enshrined.The temple is not only neighbor to the beautiful surrounding of Bukhansan National Park, but also contains an impressive collection of cultural and historical properties. It also provides a quiet place for urbanites to enjoy all the while sharing the teachings of Buddha.